Author: kountingsheep

So yesterday I went to the Grand Canyon with two friends of mine. Now, I’ve lived in Arizona for 15+ years, and I have never been to see it. I know, I know, crazy right? Well, yesterday I finally got to see it. Luckily my friend drove both ways, so I had 8+ hours of crocheting. I took a blanket with me that I just started a few days ago and was able to make some good progress on it.
We got to the park at about 11 AM, and just enjoyed the view for awhile. Seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. You can’t really describe it, you have to just see it. The vastness and depth keeps your eyes searching in every direction to find the end, yet it spreads as far as you can see. Layer upon layer of rocks and red and trees and peaks, and it looks like a bunch of little canyons are all placed into one big canyon. It’s a most beautiful labyrinth for the eyes.

“How deep the Father’s love for us,

We then decided it would be fun to hike part of Kaibab Trail, so we set off. It was fine going down, but as a sign at the beginning of the trail said: what goes down, must come up. We stopped for lunch at a place called Cedar Ridge Point, then headed back up. It was brutal, but I made it in one piece, which was a great accomplishment for someone as clumsy as myself. I don’t know why my friends are always telling me not to fall anytime I do stuff like this…
Anyway, after we got done hiking we spent some time at a really beautiful place called Yaki Point that had a breathtaking view of the canyon. The colors just seemed more vibrant and the trees more visible, and we all three said that it was our favorite spot of the day.

“How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord My Father,

…and I’m going to a Christmas party tonight! I think we Arizonans have “Christmas in July” parties in order to trick ourselves into thinking that summer really isn’t that hot, or unbearable, or long, with clever distractions like holiday movies, white elephant gift exchanges, and yummy treats that usually only get served once a year, in the hopes that these cooler climate activities will make us feel cooler. Um, yeah, it totally works *cough, cough*

At least it’s a good excuse for the knitting to come along.

Here is the second Cable Comfort Throw that I made. With this one, I decided to use two different colors, partly because I already had both colors in my stash and didn’t have to buy any new yarn, and partly because, well, I wanted to see what this pattern would look like with more than one color. And I found out that I love this pattern even more with multiple colors.
I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in colors Raspberry and Blossom. The colors remind me of strawberry and raspberry sherbet,especially the lighter pink color, so soft and ice-creamy. This blanket was a gift for my friend, Naomi, for just being well, an awesome friend. I gave it to her after church a couple Sundays ago, when it was probably about 150 degrees outside (that’s a rough estimate, give or take a few degrees). She loved the blanket, even if it came on the hottest day ever.

I finished one more of these, and it’s just waiting to be given to the third recipient. I liked it so much with one color, and then with two colors, I decided to try the third one with three colors. Stay tuned for how it turned out.

O Bamboo Needles, how do I love thee?
I’m all about the bamboos right now. I bought a pair of Size 13 Takumi Bamboo knitting needles with a Michael’s gift card I got for my birthday from a friend. I wanted to be able to carry my comfort afghan back and forth to the hospital back in March, and bamboos are quieter than metal ones, which makes it more convenient for hospital knitting. I’ve used bamboo double-points before, but hadn’t tried them in straights, and well, let’s just say that I’m going to be using my 40% off coupons for awhile buying a set of bamboos one size at a time. They are just so smooth and less pointy and the stitches slide so easily along, and I like how the wood warms up in my hands, which will be great during the winter, however short it may be. I picked up some Size 10 needles last week for my current project….and it’s just, ah, bliss!

Can you tell this knitter is easily entertained?